New Scholarship in UK to Shape Future AI Leaders

A groundbreaking scholarship in UK, launching in spring 2026, aims to nurture the next wave of artificial intelligence (AI) innovators. Named the Sparck AI Scholarships, this initiative honours Karen Sparck Jones, a trailblazing British computer scientist. It offers master’s degree students a chance to study in UK and work with top AI companies.

What Are the Sparck AI Scholarships?

The Sparck AI Scholarships are a fully-funded program by the UK government. They cover tuition fees and living expenses for master’s students, making it easier to study in UK without financial stress. The program is part of the government’s ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan,‘ backed by over £17 million in funding from Westminster.

This scholarship in UK targets students passionate about AI. It will be offered at nine leading universities, including Bristol, Newcastle, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

Why the University of Bristol Stands Out

The University of Bristol is thrilled to join this initiative. “We relish the opportunity,” the university stated, excited to support students in exploring AI’s potential. In 2024, Bristol earned the title of ‘AI University of the Year‘ and developed Isambard-AI, the UK’s most powerful supercomputer for AI research.

Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor, Evelyn Welch, said the scholarships would allow the university to “explore bold new ideas and nurture exceptional talent.” This makes Bristol a top choice for students aiming to study in UK and lead in AI innovation.

Industry Connections for Scholars

Beyond funding, the scholarship in UK offers 100 scholars placements at leading AI companies. These placements provide hands-on experience in the fast-paced AI industry. Scholars will also receive mentorship from industry experts, giving them unparalleled access to cutting-edge developments.

This setup ensures students gain practical skills and industry insights, preparing them for high-demand careers in AI.

Boosting the UK’s AI Future

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle MP emphasized the program’s goal: helping students secure “highly skilled jobs” and building “a workforce fit for the future.” The scholarships aim to position the UK as a global AI leader by fostering talent and innovation.

Finn Stevenson, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Flok Health, expressed excitement about the scheme. They said attracting the “world’s best talent” is crucial for advancing AI in the UK.

Promoting Equal Opportunities

AI talent firm Beamery supports the scholarships, aligning with their mission to create “equal access to work” and connect “talent to opportunity.” The program ensures students from diverse backgrounds can access world-class education and career paths in AI.

For those in India, this means a chance to study in UK and join a global industry, even if financial barriers exist. The scholarship removes these hurdles, making it a golden opportunity.

How to Apply

Applications for the Sparck AI Scholarships open in spring 2026. The first group of scholars will begin their studies in autumn 2027. This timeline gives students time to prepare for this life-changing opportunity.

For Indian students, this scholarship in UK is a pathway to join a cutting-edge field. AI, or artificial intelligence, involves creating smart systems that mimic human thinking, like voice assistants or self-driving cars. Studying AI in the UK offers access to advanced technology and global career prospects.

Thousands of Harvard ex-students sign legal document supporting Harvard

A historic coalition of over 12,000 Harvard University graduates, spanning from the class of 1950 to the newly minted class of 2025, has united to support their alma mater in a significant legal battle against the Trump administration’s decision to withhold over $2.2 billion in federal funding. This collective action, reported first by CNN, takes the form of an amicus brief submitted to the court on Monday, marking what is believed to be the largest alumni-driven legal brief from a single institution in history.

The amicus brief, a document provided by a third party to offer courts additional context or perspective, reflects a diverse group of signatories bound by their shared Harvard education and a commitment to safeguarding the university’s future. Among them are notable figures such as comedian Conan O’Brien, author Margaret Atwood, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Wisconsin beer brewer, an Ohio fighter pilot, and a South Dakota tribal leader, representing a broad cross-section of professions and regions.

Harvard initiated legal action against the Trump administration in April, challenging the freeze on federal funding and requesting an expedited court ruling. Oral arguments are set for July 21. The alumni brief underscores the gravity of the moment, arguing that the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and federal oversight of higher education across the United States.

The brief states, “As alumni, we are deeply alarmed by the Government’s reckless and unlawful attempts to assert control over the core functions of Harvard and its fellow institutions of higher education. Without due process or any recognizable basis in law—and with complete disregard for the freedoms the Constitution secures and the constraints it imposes—the Government has embarked on a campaign to deploy every power at its disposal to damage Harvard.”

It further asserts, “The Government’s end goal is to narrow our freedoms to learn, teach, think, and act, and to claim for itself the right to dictate who may enjoy those freedoms. As alumni, we attest that Harvard’s true greatness resides in the ways we share these values and exercise these freedoms.”

Anurima Bhargava, a Harvard alumna, documentary filmmaker, and civil rights lawyer who has been instrumental in organizing this effort, emphasized the broader significance of the alumni’s stand. In an interview with CNN, she described the brief as a powerful symbol of unity, transcending political and social divides. “Our education equips us to be defenders of democracy and liberty,” Bhargava said. “This is about protecting the ability of all schools—beyond just Harvard—to foster free thought, learning, and expression without government overreach.”

Bhargava also noted that some alumni hesitated to sign the brief due to concerns about potential retaliation from the administration, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the issue.

The Trump administration’s actions, which predate President Donald Trump’s return to office, are framed by his allies as a response to antisemitism on campus, particularly in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the alumni brief contends that the administration’s broader agenda extends beyond this issue and is seen by some in the White House as a politically advantageous move.

The brief declares, “We unequivocally condemn antisemitism and every other form of discrimination and hate, which have no place at Harvard or anywhere else in our society. Yet charges of antisemitism—particularly without due process and proper bases and findings by the Government—should not be used as a pretext for the illegal and unconstitutional punishment and takeover of an academic institution by the Government. Indeed, most of the Government’s demands on Harvard have little or nothing to do with combating antisemitism, or any other kind of bias and discrimination, on campus.”

Harvard is currently entangled in multiple legal disputes with the Trump administration, which has launched several investigations into the university. While Education Secretary Linda McMahon and other White House officials have indicated a willingness to negotiate, no discussions are currently underway. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the alumni brief.

This unprecedented show of solidarity from Harvard’s alumni underscores the high stakes of the university’s fight, not only for its own future but for the principles of academic freedom and institutional independence across higher education.

Harsh Patel Sentenced to 10 years in Prison.

Human smuggler gets 10-year sentence for his role in the human smuggling operation which caused a family of four to freeze to death on the US-Canada border. 

In January 2022, Jagdish Patel (39), his wife Vaishaliben (37), their daughter Vihangi (11), and son Dharmik (3), all from Dingucha, Gujarat, froze to death while attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Canada border during a blizzard. The family, lured by promises of a better life, was part of a group of 11 Indian migrants smuggled through a sophisticated operation orchestrated by Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel (no relation to the victims). On January 19, 2022, near the Manitoba-Minnesota border, the group faced brutal conditions with wind chill temperatures dropping to -36°F. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police discovered the family’s bodies just 33 feet from the U.S. border, highlighting the deadly risks of the smuggling operation.

 

Following his imprisonment, Patel faces deportation from the United States. His accomplice, 50-year-old Steve Anthony Shand, also from Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Trial evidence revealed that Patel and Shand participated in an extensive smuggling network that facilitated the entry of Indian nationals into Canada using fraudulent student visas before illegally transporting them across the U.S. northern border. Patel coordinated the smuggling logistics from Manitoba, Canada, into the U.S., while Shand drove the migrants from just south of the Canadian border to Chicago. Both profited from the operation, ignoring the dangers of extreme cold faced by the migrants. The trial disclosed that the smuggling fee from India through Canada to the U.S. was approximately $100,000 per person.

 

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said “Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for their personal enrichment and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their watch. This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations. I thank the prosecutors and our law enforcement partners in the U.S. and in Canada who are working to secure the northern border and end the perilous smuggling of aliens into the United States.”

 

The sentencing of Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand may deter some human smuggling activities by showcasing consequences, but it’s unlikely to stop the practice entirely. Human smuggling is driven by complex factors like economic desperation, global migration pressures, and organized crime networks, which persist despite individual convictions. Their operation charged $100,000 per person, indicating high profitability that attracts others to fill the void. While the 10-year and 6.5-year sentences send a message, the U.S.-Canada border’s vastness and demand for migration routes suggest smuggling will continue unless root causes—poverty, visa restrictions, and lax enforcement—are addressed. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows over 1,000 apprehensions of Indian nationals at the northern border in 2022, a fraction of total attempts, highlighting the scale of the issue.

 

Estimates of Indian Nationals Smuggled into the U.S. and Canada

Precise numbers of Indian nationals smuggled into the U.S. and Canada are challenging to pinpoint due to the clandestine nature of human smuggling and incomplete data on undetected crossings. However, available data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other sources provide estimates:

United States: 

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, CBP encountered approximately 96,917 Indian nationals attempting illegal crossings at U.S. borders, with 30,010 at the U.S.-Canada border and 41,770 at the U.S.-Mexico border. This marks a significant increase from 2,225 at the northern border in FY 2021. 

Since October 2020, CBP has recorded about 169,000 encounters with Indian migrants at both southern and northern U.S. land borders, making them the largest group of extra-hemispheric migrants encountered during this period.

In FY 2024, 43,764 Indian nationals were detained at the U.S.-Canada border, the highest recorded figure for this entry point, with a total of 69,380 encounters across both borders (25,616 at the southern border).

Estimates suggest around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants were living in the U.S. as of 2022, making them the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants after Mexicans and Salvadorans.

Canada: 

Specific figures for Indian nationals smuggled into Canada are less clear, as Canada’s data focuses more on apprehensions at the U.S. border or asylum claims. However, a 2023 report noted that Indians are among the largest groups of asylum seekers in Canada, with many entering legally on visitor or student visas before attempting to cross into the U.S.

These figures likely underestimate the total number of smuggled individuals, as they only account for those apprehended or encountered by authorities. Many crossings go undetected, and the smuggling networks are sophisticated, often involving multiple countries and routes.

 

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U.S. Suspends New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Social Media Scrutiny

Visa appointments stopped till further notice leaving thousands of students in the lurch. New guidelines for vetting to be adopted before visa appointments resume. 

The United States has paused scheduling new interviews for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) as part of a broader initiative to overhaul vetting processes, according to recent reports. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive to diplomatic posts, stating, “Effective immediately, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.” This move, detailed in a memo obtained by CBS News, signals a temporary halt to new appointments while allowing existing ones to proceed.

The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s plans to intensify social media screening for visa applicants, focusing on security concerns and combating what it describes as an “anti-Semitic atmosphere” on some U.S. campuses. The State Department’s memo hints at forthcoming guidelines to expand social media vetting, though specifics on the content under review—potentially tied to executive orders on terrorism and antisemitism—remain unclear. This shift comes amid heightened tensions between the administration and certain elite universities, which President Trump has criticized for allegedly fostering left-leaning ideologies and discriminatory practices.

The pause could significantly impact international students, who are vital to many U.S. institutions, often contributing substantial tuition revenue. For instance, universities like Harvard, where over 25% of students are international, face potential financial and academic challenges. The administration’s broader policies, including funding cuts and visa revocations, have sparked legal battles, with courts blocking some measures. Critics, including universities, argue these actions infringe on free speech, particularly regarding pro-Palestinian activism, which the White House claims has been co-opted by antisemitic sentiments.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the importance of rigorous vetting, stating, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.” As the administration prepares new protocols, the suspension of visa interviews raises concerns about delays for prospective students and the broader implications for U.S. higher education’s global standing.

UGC Grants approval to 5 universities to open campuses in India!

Victoria University (VU) and Western Sydney University (WSU), Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago), Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy) and The University of Liverpool (UK) get approval to set up campuses. 

Australia is poised to significantly expand its academic presence in India, capitalizing on a renewed global enthusiasm for the complex venture of transnational education through branch campuses.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has recently approved applications from five international institutions to establish satellite campuses, including two Australian universities: Victoria University (VU) and Western Sydney University (WSU). Joining them are the Illinois Institute of Technology from Chicago, Italy’s Istituto Europeo di Design based in Milan, and the University of Liverpool from the UK.

This wave of approvals underscores India’s emergence as a focal point for a revitalized push by universities from Australia, the UK, and the US to establish overseas academic hubs. Last July, Deakin University and the University of Wollongong pioneered this trend by launching campuses in Gujarat’s Gift City, a special economic zone, followed by the University of Southampton, which began operations on Delhi’s periphery in August.

The University of Western Australia has also submitted an application to the UGC for permission to establish campuses in Mumbai and other Indian locales. Vice-chancellor Amit Chakma described the initiative as a “new chapter in our century-long illustrious journey.”

WSU, which announced its intent to establish an Indian campus in January after opening a branch in Surabaya, Indonesia, the previous September, plans to commence operations in early 2026. The Delhi campus, situated in an industrial hub on the city’s interstate outskirts, will offer programs in agriculture, food security, computer science, business, and engineering. A WSU spokesperson expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a significant milestone in our journey to establishing a presence in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The university continues with its planning towards establishing a campus which includes seeking approval by our board of trustees.”

VU has been less forthcoming about its plans but anticipates receiving a “letter of intent” from the UGC, according to senior deputy vice-chancellor John Germov. He noted, “[We are] looking forward to working alongside local partners to…create a thriving campus for students and collaborate on ways to make a tangible contribution to India’s National Education Policy.”

As universities in Australia, the UK, and North America face increasing restrictions on recruiting international students to their home campuses, offshore ventures appear as a viable alternative. However, experts caution against expecting swift financial returns. Justin Bokor, an independent adviser with prior roles at Monash University and EY, warned, “Branch campuses don’t deliver…a financial boon in the first three to five years, [and] frequently not in the first five to 10 years.”

Financial reports corroborate this view. Monash University’s campuses in Malaysia, China, and Indonesia contributed only 4.3 percent of its revenue last year, with the long-established Malaysia campus, operational for 27 years, accounting for nearly all of it. The newer China and Indonesia campuses, launched in 2012 and 2020, respectively, each generated a mere 0.2 percent of total income.

Similarly, the University of Wollongong’s Dubai campus, established over three decades ago, contributed 7 percent of institutional revenue in 2023, while its six-year-old Malaysia campus added 3 percent. However, its Hong Kong campus, plagued by declining enrollments and underutilized facilities, posted a A$53 million (£25 million) deficit. Despite financial strains necessitating approximately 275 job cuts, Wollongong is advancing plans for a pioneering campus in Saudi Arabia. New Zealand’s Massey University is similarly expanding in Singapore while implementing domestic staff reductions.

WSU, which announced up to 400 job cuts in April due to ongoing deficits, faces challenges in replicating the favorable conditions enjoyed by Wollongong and Deakin in Gift City, where tax-free profit repatriation is permitted for a decade. Alastair Dawson, a business consultant and former vice-president at Central Queensland University, highlighted the financial complexities of offshore campuses, noting, “There’s a lot of hidden costs that you don’t really ever understand until you get there.” Dawson, who established CQU’s Jakarta campus and explored further expansions in Sumatra and Sulawesi, emphasized that international students in Australia are often motivated by access to its lucrative job market—a draw absent in offshore campuses. He added, “You’ve got to tap into the scholarship market…but it’s a lot more work, and it’s a lot less profitable.”

Nevertheless, Bokor sees offshore campuses as a “pathway to vibrancy” amid stagnant domestic enrollments and stringent government restrictions on international student recruitment. He highlighted India’s vast demographic potential, with approximately 120 million people aged 20 to 25 and a government goal to double tertiary education participation. “Even without any population growth, that will supply a vast number of young people to be educated – and that’s just India,” he said. “If you can’t access that onshore, and they have a need for extra supply offshore, then go to where the market is. If you can get that right, then it becomes a source of strength and vitality for your organisation over the next generation.”